Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980
TMO 2.5 + custom mods
USS Salmon SS-182 (Salmon Class)
realism 100
Cams and map contacts off.
12 December 1943
N of Truk.
Patrolling area North of Truk 150 NM or so. SJ radar makes contact before dawn. Can tell by rapidly changing situation are moving at high speed. Got o GQ commence closing to get visual.
As dawn begins to break, can see the high pagoda masts of a battleship followed by the sleek flat profile of a carrier. Three escorts (assumed to be DD)
Assuming a dawn zig is coming, hold off on dive and final approach. I assumed correctly as made a zig to NE, towards us, confirming have not detected the sub. We dive at 0620 and commence slow quiet approach at 100 feet, popping up twice to scope depth to confirm targets still heading our way. Observation reveals a YAMATO Class Battleship and a Shokaku Class Carrier.
Curious, which would you target? In a Gato class etc with six forward tubes, would shoot three at each, three can ruin a carrier, three should slow the BB. However, Salmon has four tubes forward and aft. Tubes are loaded out with Mark 14's.
I initially planned to target the carrier, figuring in a real scenario it would be targeted as a more valuable target, and hoped could follow up with an attack on Yamato later. However, the starboard flank escort moved right into its position and would run over me before had a good shot at the carrier, so I decided up firing all four at the Yamato, all four hit. Took sub to 350 feet, took many depth charges but escaped. Back at scope depth, could see the Yamato sailing away in distance, but with a fire burning and listing forward. to starboard. Attempted an end around, but heavy air cover from the carrier prevented this. I do wish the sim provided credit for damaging major warships.
Side Note: While I was unaware this appearance and surprised (can't remember everything I have added, but checked the mission editor afterwards) When upgrading TMO traffic, I made appearances and chances of encounters of major ships such as Yamato, Battleships, and carriers fairly rare as in real life, along the lines of RSRD. This provides a thrill, especially when it is random but also fun when receive an ULTRA(added those as well) and chase down an important TF or convoy. The routes, times etc are based on historical movement of these vessels within limitations of the sim.
I also changed the Yamato's damage model a bit, it is difficult to sink as was in reality.
On December 12 1943, Yamato, SHOKAKU, DD TANIKAZE and AKIGUMO and KAZAGUMO departed Truk for Japan. On the return trip back to Truk on 20 December (also added) they were attacked by USS Skate SS-305, damaging Yamato, forcing its return to Japan for repairs.
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